Histochemische Untersuchungen zur Spezifität und Anwendung der Carbodiimidreaktion für den Nachweis von Carboxylgruppen

Zusammenfassung Mittels vergleichender Untersuchungen und Blockierungs-bzw. Abbauverfahren wurde der Reaktionsumfang für die Säureanhydridreaktion und für die Carbodiimidreaktion zum histochemischen Nachweis für Carboxylgruppen bestimmt. Die Carbodiimidreaktion erfaßt COOH-Gruppen von Proteinen und von einigen sialinsauren Kohlenhydraten. Durch den zusätzlichen Nachweis saurer Kohlenhydrate unterscheidet sie sich von der Säureanhydridreaktion. Außerdem wurde der Fixierungseinfluß auf das Ergebnis der Carbodiimidreaktion ermittelt.

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Summary The reactive range of the acid anhydride reaction and the carbodiimide reaction for the histochemical demonstration of carboxyl groups was investigated by comparative methods, blocking tests and analytical methods. The carbodiimide reaction reveals COOH-groups of proteins and several sialinic acid carbohydrates. The additional demonstration of acid carbohydrates distinguishes the carbodiimide reaction from the acid anhydride reaction. The influence of fixatives on the outcome of the carbodiimide reaction is also investigated.

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Mit Unterstützung durch einen Forschungsauftrag des Ministeriums für das Hoch-und Fachschulwesen der DDR.     

The Site Specificity of Two Species of Gregarina in Tenebrio molitor Larvae

The site specificity of the apicomplexans Gregarina cuneata and Gregarina sleini , in larval Tenebrio molitor was investigated. Gregarina cuneata was found to inhabit the anteriormost region of the larval midgut, while G. steini was restricted to the posterior portion of the intestine. The site specificity of the pair was conserved in single and concurrent infections. Interspecific interactions do not seem to be presently responsible for the resource partitioning by the 2 gregarine species. Key words. Gregarina, site specificity, Tenebrio molitor.     

Characterisation of neutral endopeptidase 3.4.24.11 (NEP) in the kidney: comparison between normotensive, genetically hypertensive and experimentally hypertensive rats.

Neutral endopeptidase 3.4.24.11 (NEP) has been identified as the major atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) degrading enzyme in rat kidney, therefore, suggesting a possible role for this enzyme in blood volume and pressure regulation. Various experimentally induced and genetically hypertensive rat models have been used to test NEP inhibitors. The presence of different isoforms of NEP in the various hypertensive rat models would have relevance when searching for novel NEP inhibitors. Therefore, we compared the properties of NEP in kidney cortex homogenates in order to test for possible differences in the following hypertensive rat models and their appropriate controls: spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), Wistar Kyoto strain (WKY), DOCA-salt hypertensive rats, and Sprague Dawley control rats (SD). No relevant differences were found when comparing the following parameters: (1) specific activity (mean: 204 U/mg protein), (2) Michaelis constant (mean: 280 microM), (3) IC50 of thiorphan (mean: 6.5 nM) and phosphoramidon (mean: 54 nM), (4) pH profiles (optimum at pH 8.0), (5) heat inactivation profiles (half-life 20 min at 65 degrees C), (6) immunotitration of kidney cortex homogenates, (7) molecular weight as determined by gel filtration (92,000 Dalton) and (8) affinity chromatography with concanavalin A. Without evidence for the presence of different NEP isoforms, it is unlikely that divergent findings in DOCA-salt rats and SHR using a given NEP inhibitor are due to isoforms of NEP.